An exhibition of pencil and watercolour illustrations on our relationship with an environment that shapes and is shaped be the way in which we live.

Barry Quinn is an illustrator and multi-disciplinary artist from Monaghan. His work is primarily in watercolour and pencil, in the form of character-driven, narrative illustrations and sequential art. Barry’s work often seeks to explore themes of identity, gender, environmentalism and social politics. He has been involved in the Dublin DIY/self-publishing scene since 2009 and has produced a number of his own books, zines and albums. Barry has been performing and producing music for over a decade and has been heavily involved with the art and music scene in Monaghan/Dublin.

Artist Statement

This exhibition began over interest in what is known as the sixth extinction; the observation that the arrival of humans in Earth's history coincides with the extinction of other species at rates comparable to the previous five mass extinctions. My initial intent with this project was to look at this “tide” of departure and our own silent response to it. However, it is quickly evident that there is little silence surrounding this issue and there are many groups and individuals working hard to hold back this wave. There are many local and international organisations redefining our understanding of conservation as we learn more and more of our complex and many-layered relationship with a natural world we are very much dependant on. A changing relationship wherein we will, with hope, place ourselves on a more balanced ground with what we consider wildness. The “gathered silence” then becomes our efforts to quieten our own appetites in hopes to allow this tide of indigenous flora and fauna to return.

Much of my process is carried out with a strong sense of narrative, within the tradition of storytelling through drawing. However it is often my aim to communicate the more expressive, emotive elements of a subject, viewing the act of drawing as more one of asking questions than offering answers. Previous exhibitions have been concerned with identity, in terms of a personal relationship with environment and space. How we use space, what we allow into that space and what happens to a space in our idleness. A series “Beginnings And Ends” takes an introspective approach to this, exploring gender identity. “Wilderless” focused on our relationship with the home, drawing from, among other things, Ireland’s present homelessness crisis. A Tide Of Gathered Silence seeks to carry on this examination unto our relationship with the broader natural environment and the life we share with it.